Mammograms.  Not what I usually write about.  But last year I experienced my first after finding a lump.  Thankfully, after some additional testing I was cleared.  However that same week my Mom went for her annual mammogram and was diagnosed with breast cancer.  What a year 2018 became.  It became the focus of our family and I’m so grateful my Mom lives with us and we were able to be of support to her through treatment. (I cannot imagine how someone living alone could manage cancer treatment!)
Through the year in talking with close friends I found that pretty much all of my friends have yet to have a mammogram.  I am almost 40 and many of my friends are in their mid to late 40s.  I found this totally shocking.   I think of all the things I see women around me doing for their health, going to much expense of time and money.  Expensive probiotics, marathons, eating well, vitamins, I’m sure you can think of many more too.  And yet so many women choose not to get a mammogram.  Cancer could care less how fast you ran your last marathon.  Or the status of your gut health.
This simple fast and easy test can save your life.  And can save you from needing more extensive treatments by catching cancer early.
Many doctors are now recommending women wait until they are 50 before starting annual mammograms.  Why?  Because insurance companies research shows not enough women are saved.  I’m not even going to say anything else about that.

1 in 6
Breast cancers occur in women aged 40-49

2 years
Mammograms show cancer up to 2 years before patients and doctors would detect it.

40%
Mammography has helped reduce breast cancer mortality rate in the US by nearly 40% since 1990.

3/4
of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease and are not considered high risk.

30%
Even for women aged over 50, skipping a mammogram every other year would miss up to 30% of cancers.

I promise to get back to sharing my favorite recipes soon.  In the meantime, schedule your mammogram!